Electrically heated water trap for fuel dispensing devices



Nov. 26, 1946. 2,411,749

ELECTRICBLLY HEATED WATER TRAP FOR FUEL'DISPENSING D C. OBERLY ETAL EYICES 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 4 Filed Aug. 9. 1939 Nov, 26, 1946. c. c. OBERLY ETAL j 2,411,749

ELECTRICALLY HEATED WATER TRAP FOR FUEL DISPENSING DEVICES Filed Aug. 9. 1939 6 Sheets-Sheet. s

' INVENTORS Clzasier' C. 0 f

' berg w i0 Qoz/M frZRNEY-i EVICES 1946- c. c. OBERLY ET AL ELECTRICALLY HEATED WATER TRAP FOR FUEL DISPENSING D Filed Aug. 9; 1939' GSheets-Sheet 4 Nov. 26, 1946. c. c. OBIERLY E'r-AL 2,411,749

ELECTRICALLY HEATED WATER TRAP FOR FUEL DISPENSING DEVICES Filed Aug. 9, 1959 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 patents it has been Patented Nov. 26, 1946 UNITED STATE ELECTRICALLY HEATED WATER rain role FUEL DISPENSING DEVICES Chester c. 0136?]! and Paul E.

Waugh, Fort Wayne, Ind., assignors to Tokheim Oil Tank and Pump Company, Fort Wayne, Ind., a corporation of Indiana 7 Application August 9, 1939, Serial No. 289,258

8 Claims.

This invention relates to liquid dispensing devices and more particularly to devices for removing water. from gasoline, petroleum products, .and

, particularly motor fuel for internal combustion engines.

Heretofore in certain pending applications and proposed to segregate or petroleum products and particularly to separate water from gasoline or other liquid fuel for internal combustion engines, either by means of float control devices or by electrically operated devices including electrodes energized by separated and accumulated water, but not energized by the motor fuel, such as gasoline. In the event that constructions like these prior devices were to be utilized in relatively cold places and particularly where the devices were utilized as service station pumps for continuously separating and removing water from the dispensed liquids, difiiculties would be encountered due to the freezing of the water which wouldprevent proper operation of the devices.

Among the objects of the present invention 7 are to provide de-icing or melting means for removing or melting ice that has been formed and also preventing the formation of further ice in water separating and/or liquid dispensing devices; to provide specifically electrically energized deicing means for water separating and/or disfor separating and discharging water from petroleum products and liquid fuel for internal combustion engines; to provide deseparated or accumulated water and without the possibility of permitting the liquid fuel to escape duringv the de-icing and discharging of such melted ice; to provide an automatically operated safe, water separating device which will constantly indicate and/or automatically discharge septor fuel in cold hot weather; to provide a service station pump, illustratively a conventional type of service station pump,

manually by an attendant; to provide a water separating and de-icing mechanism for an apparatus for handling petroleum products including liquid fuel for internal combustion engines wherein electrically energized means is utilized not only for indicating and/or discharging separated and accumulated water from the liquid fuel but also wherein the source of electrical energy is utilized as a heating means in the separation chamber for heating ice formation therein and in such a manner that the melted ice will be automatically discharged without permitting the discharge of liquid fuel; to provide these and other objects of invention as will be apparent from a perusal of the following specification when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a crosssectional view of the auto matic drain valve mechanism attached to a petroleum storage tank.

Figure 2 is a schematic drawing showing the system associated with the gasoline dispensing device.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a gasoline pump to which the device is applied.

Figure 4 is a view of a conventional service station pump provided with the de-icing mechthe manual discharg shown as applied anism shown in Fig'. 6. Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view or the mechstation' pump shown in Fig, 4.

Figure 6 is a modified form of the device wherein the heating element is positioned in the bottom of the sump. provision being made for of water in lieu of autoanism enclosed withinthe casing of the service matic discharge, as in of the construction shown in the Chester C. Oberly application, Serial No. 253,486, filed January 30, 1939, Patent 2,259,771, of October 21, 1941.

Figure 7 is a detail or the electrical connections for the device shown in Fig. 6.

Figure 8 is a detail of the wiring diagram of the construction shown in Fig. 1.

In the present invention, for purposes purely of exemplification and not by way of limiting the adaptation of the invention,

application for a water separator and discharge mechanism, Serial No. 266,225, filed April 5, 1939, Patent 2,325,925, of August 3, 1943, and also to October 21, 1941.

Fig.1, the device being to the construction of my prior which separates out tank is provided with a fill cap trical ener y to solenoid 25. Electrode 253,486,- the water which accumulates in underground metal gasoline tanks in the presence of gasoline causes a formation of a certain corro sion product which appears dispersed in the gasoline as a grayish green slime and which upon to be iron oxide 18.52 per cent and water combined with organic matter 14.11 percent.

Minute particles of this corrosion product become-entrained in gasoline drawn through the dispensing line and these minute particles have a peculiar aflinity for water which separates out from the gasoline as the gasoline passes through the water separator. Consequently, the water in the bottom of the separation chamber carries in finely dispersed form,

minute particles of this iron oxide.

Referring now to Fig. 1 of the present drawings, the .device therein shown shows a storage tank for petroleum products including asoline and/or other liquid fuel particularly adapted for use in internal combustion engines. This storage 5 and a discharge outlet 6. In addition, attached somewhat to the bottom of the tank and communicating by means of a port I, is a base casting 8 forming a portion of a sump or water chamber. If desired, the sump may be made a part of the tank 4. The casting 8 is attached to the tank 4 by means of cap screws 8. In the portionI of the casting 8 three electrodes II; I2 and I02 are threadedly engaged in spaced apart relation and insulated fromthe casting 8 and from each other. One of the electrodes I2, ex-

tends downwardly into the tank or sump a con- To the base siderable distance below the others. of the casting 8 by means of cap screws I3 a sump I4 is attached whereby the sump I4 may be bodily removed for repair purposes and for access to electrodes if desired.

In the present instance I have illustrated my invention as applied to 'an electrode-operated form of device for discharging accumulated water and for indicating the presence of accumulated water.

- Referring to. Figs. 1 and 8 for an explanation of the construction and electrical hook-up, the positive wire I5 is connected to a source of elecdesignated by the letter G representing a generator, connects by means of wire I04 to fixed switch contacts I8 adapted to be engaged by a solenoid shifted switch blade I9, hereinafter referred to. One of the switch contacts It connects to wire I04 and the other switch contact I8 connects by means of wire 20 to the electrode I2.

Disposed in the bottom of the sump I4 is an electrical heater 2|, the body of which is formed of proper insulating material and has embedded therein the heating wires. One end of the heating wires connects by means of a suitable fitting directly to the wire I6 and the other end of the heating wire connects by means of wire I01 to one of the two fixed contacts 23. These contacts are adapted to be bridged or made by a shiftable contact 44 hereinafter referred to which, in turn, is actuated'by a solenoid 24. fixed contact 23 connects by means of a wire I03 to the wire I5. The same wire I5 also connects to the solenoids 24 and 25. The wire I04 from the electrode II, in addition to connecting with one of the switch contacts I8, likewise connects I02 is connected to a manually operated switch 33 by means of a wire separating and accumulating if desired. The electrode II The other plate-like in formation,

. a I05. The wire I06 connects this same switch 33 to the solenoid 24. v

It will be noted that the heating element 2| is and is provided with a central opening preferably of sufiicient size to correspond to and register with the valved water discharge opening for the bottom of the sump. The solenoid has a central core 35 which serves as a connecting rod to a clevis 35 hingedly connected to one of 'a pin 38. Arm 31 is a continuation of the lever 39 on the end of which is located discharge valve 3l.- This valve lever is pivoted on pin 40 in turn supported by the casting I4. A compressionspring 4B is disposed between the clevis 38 and the casting 8 and tends to keep the valve normally closed and the core withdrawn from the solenoid. Attached to this core 35 is an insulated extension M which supports the switch contact bar I9 for cooperation with the hereinbefore mentioned spaced switch points or contacts I8. The solenoid 24 has a core 42, the upper end of which has an insulated extension 43 supporting the switch bar 44 for engaging spaced-apart switch points or contacts 23.

on the upper end of the casting 8 Is provided -a cover 45 for the electrical control elements and I The water discharge valve 3I has mounted therewater which will on an electrode 30 which is insulated from the valve and which, when the valve is closed, is disposed concentrically within and spaced from the casting -I4 and, from the heating element 2|, as shown clearly in Fig. 1. I This valve construction is shown as claimed broadly in my prior application, Serial No. 266,225, now Patent No. 2,325,925, of August 3,1943; The central electrode 30 on the valve is connected by means of wire I08 to wire I6.

Referring now to Fig. 8, which is identical with Fig. 1, for the wiring circuits, except for. the

signal light which will be hereinafter referred to, it is to be understood that in the operation of the device as a water separator and accumulator for the purpose of indicating the presence of water or for manually or automatically discharging the accumulated water without discharging the petroleum product, utilization is made of the fact that the separated water because of its heavier specific gravity will settle and collect in the lowest portion of the containing vessel, with ,the petroleum product or gasoline which is of lighter specific gravity, overlying in a distinct layer the water which is of heavier specific gravity. With this in mind, it will be seen that thus separate'out by gravity from the petroleum product will tend to accumulate in the sump I4 and the accumulated water will eventually ris'e until it reaches the electrodes. As the water accumulates, it will first contact theelectrode I2, and then the electrode I02 before it contacts the electrode I I. No electrical circuit is made by the contact of the ,water with the electrode I2 because the contacts I8 and I9 are not engaged. When the water has risen so that it contacts the'electrode I02, current will fiow through wire I5, solenoid 24, wire I06, switch 33 and wire I05 to electrode I02, and then through the water, to electrode 30, thence through wire I08, and wire IE to ground. During winter months the switch 33 is closed and forms a closed circuit for the automatic operation of the heater means. When the ice formed in the tank-conarm of the lever arm- 31 by means 1 tacts-the electrode 102 the electrical heater circuit,is closed by the ice contact between the ctrodes 30 and I02. The solenoid 24 is thereby nergized to shift the contact 44 into engagement with the fixed contacts 23. -By closing of this switch the circuit to the heater 2| is closed and this allows the full voltage of the line to be applied to the heating element 2|. This circuit is completed from wire l5, through wire I03, switch contacts 23 and 44, wire l01,the heating element 2| and wire it to ground. Since the heater is nowenergized, any ice formation present in the sump will be immediately melted.

The water or ice in the sump will continue to accumulate until it reaches the electrode l I which closes another circuit controlling the discharge valve 3|. This circuit extends from wire l5 through solenoid 25, wire I04, electrode H, and

through the water to electrode 30 and from electrode 30 through wire I08 to the ground wire I6. This circuit energizes-the solenoid 25 thereby closing the. switch l8, l9 and opening the valve 3|, thereby allowing the accumulated water to be.

discharged from the sump or chamber l4. This water will continue to drain until its level falls below the lower portion of the electrode l2, at which time the valve will close. It is to be understood that it is desired to have the longer electrode I2 maintain the circuit closed for holding the solenoid energized so that the discharge valve will" be maintained, open and the water may drain to the bottom of and below the lower electrode I2. In this way a substantial amount of water may be discharged at one time as distinguished from merely maintaining a fluctuating opening and closing of the discharge valve in the event that only one electrode II were used.

It mustbe apparent that the circuits shown in the wiring diagram of Figure 8 provide means whereby the heating elementZl is energized prior to the opening of the discharge valve 3| so that any ice which may have accumulated or formed will be melted before the valve is open whereby the melted ice will properly be discharged.

In this connection it is to be noted that by having the electrode 30 located in the centerof I the discharge valve 3| nothing but water can pass because in the event that the petroleum product such as gasoline attempts to drain through this valve opening the circuitcannotbe maintained because the,instant petroleum, which is generally a non-conductor of -electricity, flows over the contact 30, the circuit therethrough will be broken, the system will be de-energized and the spring 48 will close thevalve whereby to stop the discharge of liquid.

- In Fig. 8 I have shown the wire H0 as connected to the wire I01 and the wire III as connected to the wire I6 whereby signal light IN,-

or any other signal will be operated whenever the heating element is energized and give warning that water is present in the separation chamber.

In Fig. 4 the signal light I 0| is illustrated as showin through the transparent opening in the housing hereinafter referred to just beneath the stationary hookup where it will be seen by the operator when he either replaces the nozzle on the hook or removes the nozzle from the hook. In lieu of placing the signal light immediately below the nozzle hook, it may be placed in an aperture directly on the indicator dial so as to be observable by the operator when he uses the computing mechanism.

In Figs, 2 and 3 there is shown a conventional to an outlet in the bottom of sion 94 there is connected a glass bowl or re-- ceptacle which is mounted on the outside of type of gasoline service station pump for dispenslng liquid fuel for internal combustion enginesand provided with the invention as set forth in Fig. 1. In this service station pump the wire circuit is composed of wires l5 and is connected to the main power circuit of the pump which, as is well known, includes.the motor switch 50 and, in the present instance, a master control switch such as an additional safety switch 5|. The cooperation of these two switches,together with the switch lever 52, which is the pump motor switch lever generally associated with a nozzle support, and together with the electric circuits operated in the manner shown in Fig. 1, provide a completely automatic and safe means usable in any kind of weather for automatically separating,- and'automatically discharging accumulated water from the liquid fuel. In Fig. 2 the conventional gasoline pump is shown as comprising a dispensing line having its lower end provided with a foot valve disposed in the gasoline reservoir and connecting to a water separating tank, the bottom portion of which is provided with the water accumulating sump, such as the sump M, Fig. 1, and is provided with the electrodes and discharge valve and other circuit operating mechanisms and circuits of Fig. 1. The upper portion of the water separator is connected to a continuation of the dispensing line which leads to the inlet of a liquid forcing pump belt-driven by the electric motor shown to the right thereof. The discharge side of the liquid dispensing pump, in turn, by means of a continuation of the dispensing line, connects the inlet side of the meter shown directly above the motor driven pump. The discharge side of the meter comes from the bottom thereof and passes through a sight gauge and thence to the usual type of flexible hose which is shown at the upper right hand portion of Fig. 2 and also in Fig, 3 as provided with a valved nozzle. The meter shaft projecting from the upper portion of the meter, as is well known, is utilized to operate a volume and/or price register and, in the present instance, a, computing register. The motor pump is shown as provided with the usual switch 50 and operating mechanism manually operable by means of the usual type of switch 52 which is herelnbefore described and is shown in Fig. 3 as associated with the usual type of stationary nozzle support. Fig, 3 shows the enclosing housing for encasing the mechanism shown in Fig. 2.-

Figs. 2 and 3 show the devices used on a conventional type of service station pump, the bottom of a sump 92 being provided with a lateral extension 94 into which the water will drain'by gravity and this'lateral extenthe housing and is therefore always in view. To this end the housing maybe recessed or bent inwardly to accommodate this glass bowl. The bowl is held against the bottom plate or rim portion of the extension 94 by means of a yoke 53 and the thumb screw 54. Thus, for dumping the globe 90, it is readily detachable from the lateral extension 94 with which it has when attached a water-tight connection by means of anysuitable gasket.

In Figs. 6 and 7 a further modification of the invention is shown wherein the same is applied to the construction shown in the application of Chester C. Oberly, Serial No. 253,486, now Patent 2,259,771. In this system the wiring i identical to that shown in the previous Oberly application with the addition of the heating element and its connecting wires. Referring to Figure 6 and to 56 isshown as ing the heating element during see the lamp when support or removes the nozzle from the support.

control chamber where the wiring diagram in Fig. '1, the heating element being disposed in'the bottom of the sump 68. The wires 69 and I48 connect the heating element with the ground wire 10. A wire 1| connects the other side of a mercury switch 12. A wire 18 leads on from the mercury switch 12 to a switch 66 which is similar to the switch '33 shown in Fig. 1 for interruptwarm weather. During winter weather this switch is closed at all times. A "wire '14 connects the switch to the wire 15. Aconnection block 16 is connected to wire '15 by wire 11 and another connection block 18 is connected to electrode wire 18 by a wire 80. Wires .leading from the connection blocks 16 and 18 are connected to a solenoid 8| which, in turn, is connected to mercury switch 12 by the arm 82. With this electrical hook-up, whenever the signal light 65 is energized by the accumulation of water in the sump 68, the circuit completed by electrode device I20 energizes the solenoid 8| which, in turn, moves the switch 12 to closed position and this allows full, line-voltage to be applied to the heating element 65. Water would offer too great a resistanceto have the heating element connected directly in circuit withthe electrodes and the consequence'would be insufllcient current for the heating element.

The remainder of the electric wire diagram is identical with that shown in the Chester C. Oberly application, Serial No. 253,486, previously mentioned. In this deviceeach of the-electrode devices I20 and I22 preferably comprise a member received in a threaded opening in the upper wall portion 60'0f' the sump 68 and an electrode I24 or I26 positioned in the sump. The electrode I24 or I26 is preferably formed of copper plated with silver. The electrode I24 is longer than the electrode I26 and therefore extends to a lower point in the collecting chamber or sump 68. The electrode I26 is preferably provided with a frusto conical opening (see Figure 6) extending inwardly from its lower surface to increase the area of theelectrically active face or surface of the electrode. The electrode of the device I20 is connected to the signal device or lamp 65 by a wire 19 hereinbefore mentioned, extending through a pipe I34 from the sump 68 and through the explosion proof switch housing I36 to the lamp 65. carried upon a suitable supporting bracket so positioned within the housing that be viewedthrough a window 7 this member 65 may I40 in the side of the housing 2. The window I40 is preferably located adjacent the nozzle sup port lever so that the attendant necessarily must he places the nozzle on the The-lamp 65 is preferably of any well-known type the voltage across its terminal. The wire 18 is connected to-one terminal of the lamp 65. The

I44 of the lighting circuit. 'The other and grounded wire of the lighting circuit power supply is connected to the casing 60 ofthe separator as by-wirefI48 extending from the switch housing I36 through the pipe I34 and into thev it is connected with the upper wall portion 60 of the base casting 68. It will be evident. from-this description that as the level of water rises in the collecting chamber the voltage impressed across the signal device or lamp 65 will increase due to the shape of the electhe heating element to" de-energization of the pump to the decrease in electrical rethis electrode member and the walls of the sump 68 the brilliance of the warning given by the signal lamp 65 will-therefore vary in proportion to the level otthe water in the chamber.

The electrical control member-I22 controls the driving motor. For this purpose the electrode device I22 is connect- I52 of a terminal block I64 in the e plosionproofswitch housing I36. The terminal I62 is in turn connected to trode I24 and due sistance between I one side of a solenoid I66 in this housing, the

other side-of the solenoid being connected to a terminal I58, connected by wire I60 to the undergrounded wire I44 of the power supply.

The solenoid I66 through its core I62 and the operated thereby controls a mercury switch I66. The contacts of the mercury switch I66 are connected to the terminals I68 and I10. The terminal I10 is connected to the wire I12 of the motor supply power line and the termi- I14 in series with the pump driving motor anda master switch I16 which in turn is connected tothe other-wire I18 switch lever of the motor power supply. The master motor which increases in brilliancy in accordance with switch is controlled in nozzle supporting lever 52, "as previously described. It will be evident that the master switch I16 and the mercury switch I66 being closed, the pump motor willbe energized to drive the pump and effect a dispensing of the gasoline when the nozzle valve is opened.

If the service station attendant ignores the warning given by the signal device or lamp 66 and if he permits the water to rise to such a level as to contact the electrode I26 sufllcient current to energize the solenoid I56 will flow from thepower wire I44 through the solenoid I56, .wire I50, and through the electrode member I26 to the grounded supply wire 10 by the wire I48. Energization of this solenoid will cause an upward movement of its core I62 which, through the switch lever, will oscillate the mercury switch I66 thereby breaking the motor circuit and preventing further dispensing of gasoline until the water has been drained from the collecting sump 68.

The usual dial illuminating lamps I80 may be connected by the wires I82 extending through pipes I84 and switch housing I86 to the lighting circuit supply wires I44 and10. The housing I86 encloses the usual manually operated light control switch I88 interposed in one of the wires I82.

It will be understood that in connection with the foregoing construction of Figs. 6 and 7 the water is manually removed by manually opening the discharge aperture in the sump 68, the discharge'aperture being shown as closed by a suitable threaded plug 68. a

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. In combination, a tank for holding a petroleum product containing water adapted to separate by gravity and .to underlie said petroleum product in the'tank and which water on freezing forms ice, said tank having a discharge port for water, a discharge valve for said port, means for opening said valve, electrode meanscarried by said valve, an electric heater disposedin said Including connections from said several tank, heater control, electrode means in said tank-adjacent the electrode means carried by said valve but spaced therefrom, electrode means disposed in said tank atan elevation above said heater control electrode means, and means inelectrode the usual manner by the l a. heater located and the ice.

said relay,

means to a source of current andto the heater to energize said heater to melt the ice and to 1 forms ice, said tank having a discharge port for water, a valve in said port and means for closing said valve, an electrically operated actuator for 1 operating said valve, electrical heating means in in, a stratum beneath said petroleum product, 7

said water freezing at a low temperature to form ice in said tank, a source of electricity, a first electrode in said tank in spaced relation from the bottom of said tank, the bottom oi said tank having a water discharge outlet, a valve. for said outlet, a second electrode carried by said valve, at the bottom of said tank and a third electrode spaced from said secnd electrode carried by actuator and electrical connectlons'ior passing current to said actuator from a source of electricity through said first electrode and through I said water or ice to the valve carried electrode, circuit with said source and said and means in second and third electrodes and automatically operable prior to the opening of said valve for passing the current from said source directly through said heater whereby to energize the heater without passing said current through said water or ice.

' 3. In a device of the class described, the combination of means forming a tank adapted to carry a petroleum product containing water which is adapted to separate by gravity and flow to the bottom of said tank to form ice when frozen, means in said tank forming an electrode disposed above the bottom of said tank, means forming a source of current, a heater disposed at the bottom of said disposed in the bottom 01' passing a current from said first mentioned electrode through the ice to the additional electrode, and means operative thereafter for passing the current from said source directly through said heater without traversing said second electrode 4. In combination, a tank adapted to hold a petroleum product from which water is adapted to separate and accumulate beneath the petroleum product and form ice on freezing, the bottom of said tank having a water discharge outlet, a valve controllingsaidoutlet, a first electrode carried by said valve and disposed within said tank when the valve is closed, means for moving said valve to closed position, an electric heater disposed on the bottom of said tank in spaced relation to the electrode carried by said valve when the valve is closed, a pair of additional electrodes disposed in said tank at different elevations above the bottom of said tank, a source ,of electric current, an electrically operated valve actuator, a relay, a circuit including said source,

said first electrode, one of said additional electrodes and the water or ice' between said electrodes, a circuit controlled by said relay for connecting said heater directly to said source independently of said first electrode and said one additional electrode and the water or ice between said electrodes, and a circuit including said first electrode,.the other of said additional electrodes, the water between said electrodes and said valve actuator for moving said valve to open position permitting discharge of the water through said outlet.

5. In combination, a tank for holding a petroleum product containing water adapted to separate by gravity and to underlie said petroleum product in the tank and which water on freezing said valve, an electric valve tank, an additional electrode said tank, means for I said actuator to open the mounted on said valve so as to have a portion I thereof disposed within said tank when said valve closes the discharge port of said tank whereby said electrode may be contacted by ice or water in said tank, a second electrode. depending in said tank and spaced above said first electrode, a third electrode disposed in said tank in spaced relation above said second electrode, a iourth electrode extending in said tank adjacent the bottom or the tank and below the second electrode, all of said electrodes being insulated from each other and from said tank, a sourc of current, a solenoid, a first switch operated by said solenoid, a second switch operated by said valve actuator, an electric circuit including said first and second electrodes, said solenoid and said source of cursaid heating means for energizing said heating means upon energization of said solenoid, a circuit including said first and third electrodes, said source and said valve actuator for energizing valve upon contact of water or ice with said first and third electrodes, and a circuit controlled by said second switch and connecting said fourth electrode to said valve actuator in shunt to said third electrode for maintaining said actuator energized as the water discharges from said tank and until the petroleum product contacts said fourth electrode.

6. In a device of the class described, in combination with a container for a petroleum product, containing entrained water adapted to segregate and fiow by gravity to underlie the petroleum product and there to congeal and form ice charge port, means for closing said port, electrically operated means formelting said ice, electrically-operated means for opening said port closing means to permit discharge. of water through said port, and control devices connected to said port closing means and ice melting meansand' including means responsive to the level of water or ice in said container for energizing said electrically operated ice melting responsive to the levelof water in said container for thereafter operating said electrically operated closure opening means.

7. In combination with a tank adapted to contain a body of liquid petroleum fuel and an underlying body of water, which latter congeals in said tank in cold weather, said tank having a water discharge outlet, closure means for said outlet, heating means associated with said'tank, means operated by the water and ice upon accumulation of a predetermined volume of ice and water in said tank for energizing said heating means for melting at least a portion of such ice andmeans operated by the Water and ice upon the accumulation of a predetermined greater vol ume of ice and water in said tank for opening said closure means to discharge water from said chamber. I

8. In combination with a tank adapted to contain a body of liquid petroleum fuel from which water if entrained in said fuel has separated therefrom in an underlying body which may means, and means 1i freeze in cold weather, said tank havingan outlet adjacent the bottom thereof for discharging the separated water, a shiftable closure for said outlet, heating means positioned to supply heat to the separated ice or water in said tank, means operated by the separated water or ice in said tank when at a predetermined level in said tank forrendering said heating means effective to supply heat to the separated water or ice in said tank, and means operated by the water'or ice in saidtank as the level thereof in said tank varies with respect to said predetermined level 5 for shifting said closure means to opened or closed positions.

CHESTER. C. OBERLY.' PAUL E. WAUGH. 

